Crisis of the Heart

By: Armitage Blade

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Author's Note: I'm Back! This story needed to be redone big time, and I felt that I owed my penname's sake (The Blade of Armitage) to re-make the story up to the caliber of writing I know I am capable of. So, here we go!

Prologue: A Lifetime Ago, Not Too Far Away…

A young woman walked into the study of the Queen of the Realm and curtsied in front of said Queen. "Mother, you called for me?" She asked as she waited for permission to sit.

The Queen looked at her child, who had scrapped the long hairstyle her sister favored for a shorter, pixie-style cut. The turquoise eyes that came from the child's father looked out at her, and made the girl look much more imposing than her five foot eight inch frame could be.

"Sit, Christina. We have much to discuss before the graduation ceremony this afternoon." The Queen said. As Christina sat down, the Queen shuffled some papers in front of her. "I understand, child, that it is your decision to carry on the more difficult training of the Legendary Warriors, rather than take your birthright as Moon Princess." She said, looking at her child with the cobalt-blue eyes the younger twin had.

"Mother, let's face it: I'm not cut out to be Moon Princess. Besides, we both know about my true birthmark." Christina said, allowing the gold crescent moon with the sword piercing up through the thickest part of the crescent to shine for a moment. "My birthmark has foretold a greater destiny for me. My sister, Serena, is the true Moon Princess of the two of us."

The Queen sighed as she thought about what her child said. "That is true. When you were both tested with the Blade of Armitage, she could not pick it up. However, you showed real skill with it."

"Mother, Serena needs the Imperial Silver Crystal more than I. I have what I need with the Blade of Armitage. Besides, we only need one Sailor Moon. Why have twins who will fight over the smallest of details during a fight?"

"Very well. However, Christina, know this: you have trained as a Sailor Scout, and will get your Sailor Scout title this afternoon at the graduation ceremony. I will alert the Council of Elders that you wish to further your training as a Legendary Warrior straight away. I hope that we can have their commendation in time for the ceremony this afternoon."

"Thank you, Mother. Know that I will not fail you in my endeavor."

"Go get ready, child. It will take much strength to get through this afternoon." With that, the Queen picked up the paper file she had in front of her as her daughter rose, curtsied, and left the room. Sighing, the Queen activated the portal to the Council of Elders.

"Lady Serenity! It has been much too long since we have last talked!" A male's voice said through the portal. When his face was revealed, Serenity smiled.

"Daichi, it has been far too long. However, it is not on pleasure I contact you, but business." Serenity said. "I have called to request permission to ask the Council of Elders to admit my daughter, Christina, into Legendary Warrior training."

Daichi's face showed concern. "You are sure she is the correct twin, Lady Serenity?"

"Daichi, Christina was able to show her true birthmark to me this afternoon, during our discussion of the future. You know that unless the person can show the sword piercing the birthmark, there cannot be a Legendary Warrior from that planet. It is time for the Moon's Legendary Warrior to be trained."

"Very well. The Council has agreed to admit her. Here is the commendation for the ceremony this afternoon." He said, as a paper appeared in front of Queen Serenity.

"I thank you and the Council. It has been a tough training period, having two girls who could be Sailor Moon." Serenity said.

With a chuckle, Daichi said, "I bet it has been. Have a good graduation ceremony, Lady Serenity, and we shall see young Christina in a week, to start her training."

"Thank you. Best greetings." Serenity said as the portal closed.

"Beg your pardon, Queen Serenity, but is this the best way to determine which child is Moon Princess?" A female's voice asked.

"Luna, you know as well as I that Christina knows her true destiny, and as we can see, it has humbled her, as well as made her stronger. Serena is, unfortunately, as spoiled as a princess can get. This is truly the best way." Queen Serenity said as she stood up and placed the commendation on top of a sword swathed in light purple. "It is time to prepare for the graduation ceremony, Luna. Please place these with the transformation talismans."

"I shall do as you ask, Queen Serenity." Luna said as she bowed and took the items to be stored with the other items.

Queen Serenity, walking the familiar path to her bedroom and dressing room, was lost in thought about her elder child. Oh child, I hope that this path is the correct one. I know that you will be called upon to become Crisis Sailor Moon in the future.

Scene Change: Royal Rose Garden, Sailor Scout Graduation Ceremony

The guests were ready for the ceremony to commence as the Royal March started. The first down the aisle were the soon-to-be Sailor Scouts, each dressed in their planet's color, except for the final two in line. The first was dressed in white, the second in gold. Following the two was Queen Serenity and the other Kings and Queens of the worlds. As the girls sat down, Queen Serenity stepped to the podium.

"The last three years have been quite difficult for me and the other trainers in preparing these girls for their destinies. Having two Moon Princesses to train has not been a walk in the park. However, the day has come to release these girls to their destinies, and we shall do it with heads held high.

"Therefore, as I call each girl's name, I ask that they come forward and receive the transformation talisman that will show the world their station." At this, Queen Serenity opened a scroll.

"Ami of Mercury, you have shown the intelligence and grace that the Mercurians are well-known for. Come forth, and receive your destiny as Sailor Mercury." The crowd clapped politely as Ami, a shy, blue-haired woman, walked to the podium and received the transformation talisman from her parents, the King and Queen of Mercury.

"Mina of Venus, you have shown the caring nature and level-headedness that Venusians are known for. Come forth, and receive your destiny as Sailor Venus.

"Rei of Mars, you have shown the burning desire for justice and strength that the people of Mars treasure. Come forth, and receive your destiny as Sailor Mars.

"Lita of Jupiter, you have shown the dedication and trustworthiness that the people of Jupiter possess. Come forth, and receive your destiny as Sailor Jupiter.

"Hotaru of Saturn, you have shown the ability of destruction, the ability of healing, and the willpower to balance precisely between the two, as all the people of Saturn must have. Come forth, and receive your destiny as Sailor Saturn.

"Haruka of Uranus, you have shown your ability to be caring and loving, as well as tough, like the people of Uranus. Come forth, and receive your destiny as Sailor Uranus.

"Michiru of Neptune, you have shown your insights and wisdom, much like the people of Neptune. Come forth, and receive your destiny as Sailor Neptune.

"Setsuna of Pluto, you have shown your dedication to your destiny as Keeper of the Gates. Come forth, and receive your destiny as Sailor Pluto.

"As for the last two, Serena of the Moon, Christina of the Moon, come forth." Queen Serenity said. As her children came forward, she said, "As you know, we can only have one Sailor Moon. However, it has been revealed that one of these two is a candidate for becoming a Legendary Warrior." She paused as she allowed that information to wash over the assembly. "As such, it is my honor to declare my daughter, Christina, as the Legendary Warrior Armitage of the Moon, and, as she has also completed the Sailor training, Crisis Sailor Moon. Come forth, and receive your destiny."

As Christina stepped forward, Serena's thoughts went nuts. Wait. You mean that Christina's not taking her birthright? That means that I'm the Moon Princess, I'm Sailor Moon!

"This means that Serena, as the younger child, has become the Moon Princess, as well as Sailor Moon. Come forth, Serena, and receive your destiny." Mentally, Serena was crowing a victory song, while Christina was too worried about her training, to commence the next week.

"This concludes the graduation ceremony. The graduation ball shall start tonight as the twilight breaks over the palace. Please, we welcome you to celebrate with us and the graduates." Queen Serenity said. The newly-crown Scouts stood in a reception line as the guests congratulated them on finishing their course of training. As the guests left, the girls congratulated each other, and they retired to their rooms to prepare for the graduation ball.

Scene Change: Royal Ballroom, Graduation/Betrothal Ball

The Queen, followed by her two daughters, walked to the thrones set up for the evening. While the Queen wore her traditional silver gown, Serena wore snow white with pink roses, and Christina wore gold. Where Queen Serenity and Serena wore their crystals, Christina's sword was strapped to her waist, as a sign of her new station. As the three sat down, Queen Serenity made an announcement.

"Tonight is not only the Graduation Ball for the newly-crowned Sailor Scouts, but also the Betrothal Ball for Princess Serena. She will choose her intended tonight."

"Queen Serenity?" One of the courtiers asked. "What about your other daughter, Christina?"

"Christina is going to be attending further training. Therefore, she will have her betrothal ball upon the completion of her training. Let the ball commence!" She said with a wave of her hand. Music started playing, and people started mingling. As the suitors looked to Serena, attempting to win her favor, Christina slipped away, and into a dark corner of the room. Stopping a servant to procure a glass of her favorite wine, she sipped on it as she watched her fellow Sailors look for their other halves. Haruka and Michiru, predictably, started dancing together. The other Sailor Scouts, except Ami, had all found their planet's knights to dance with. Ami, she knew, was going to be undertaking the same training as she, and would be leaving in a week with her. However, her thoughts were distracted by a young man walking up to her. Normally, she was accustomed to this, but on his black tuxedo, he wore the sigil of Earth with a sword piercing up through it.

"Penny for your thoughts, Princess Christina?" The young man said.

"Oh!" She said, startled. "Prince Skylar, you scared me. What are you doing here tonight?"

He jerked his head towards the dance floor. "Haven't you seen? My brother is your sister's betrothed."

She looked to the dance floor where, sure enough, Prince Endymon of Earth was dancing with her sister.

"Poor soul. He must have a death wish, if he is to be betrothed to her."

"Why do you say that, dear Christina?"

"She's been crowing a victory song since she found out that I'm not the Moon Princess in line for the crown."

Skylar looked at her. "Surely you jest! You are the firstborn, it is your duty."

Christina flashed her birthmark, showing him the sword-pierced sigil of the Moon. "My duty is to become a Legendary Warrior, not a Queen." She said as her eyes turned downcast. "I am not Queen material, nor will I ever be. The only time I shall ever don the mantle of Sailor Moon is in the case of severe crisis, when my sister is incapacitated. I have no idea what my future holds besides serving my Queen, whether she be my mother or my sister."

Skylar reached out, tipping her chin up to see his face. Flashing his birthmark, showing the same sigil on his tuxedo lapel, he said, "I know the feeling, being trapped into service. However, when I look at you, I see someone who is every inch a queen as her mother, and much more than her sister. There is no rule that says a Legendary Warrior cannot rule his or her homeland."

"There is when there are twins born. You and I are both born under this rule, Skylar. This is why our siblings rule, while we must serve them."

"Christina, who is to say that even though we must serve, we cannot marry?"

"What?"

"Christina, I've found that I've preferred you to your sister at every turn since I was but a young boy visiting this castle. That preference has turned into love on my side. I say it tonight: I love you, Princess Christina of the Moon."

"Skylar, Prince Skylar of the Earth, I've noticed this, especially in training with you. What I'm trying to say is, I love you too."

"May I have this dance, Princess?" Skylar asked, holding out his hand.

"Yes, you may, Prince." Christina replied, taking his hand.

Queen Serenity was noting who each of the girls were dancing with. More importantly, she was noting her two daughters and Ami. Serena's predicatble choice was Prince Endymon of Earth. Ami chose Gareth, the Legendary Warrior Thor of Jupiter. Strangely, it was the final member of the trio that surprised her the most. Christina picked Endymon's younger brother, Skylar. He was also a Legendary Warrior, which made sense.

Suddenly, the third pair stopped dancing, and, feeling for their weapons, ran to the doors. Queen Serenity silently raised the alarm of the guards.

Christina and Skylar, running outside, grabbed their swords. Drawing them and raising the points to the sky, they started their transformation process.

"Blade of Armitage, Activate!" Christina said.

"Blade of Mobius, Activate!" Skylar said.

Christina was enveloped in a pale gold light. When it disappeared, she was dressed in a light purple jacket with mandarin collar and pale gold fasteners, with a light purple skirt, which reached down to her ankles, with high slits, helping her to move. She wore pale gold slippers, sash, and eye shield.

Skylar was enveloped in a silver light. When it disappeared, he was dressed in a silver jacket, almost exactly like Christina's except for black fasteners. He wore silver judo pants, silver eye shield, and black slippers and sash.

Beryl was standing in front of the pair. "Where's your pathetic siblings?" She almost growled at the two.

"Where you will never get to them." The two answered, falling into battle stance. The moonstone on Christina's sword and the fire topaz on Skylar's sword glinted, feeling the ensuing battle would be big.

"Too bad. I guess instead of sparing your lives, I will have to kill you." Beryl said, rushing into battle with them.

The duo worked well together, protecting each other while also fighting Beryl. Suddenly, without thought, Beryl struck out at Christina, resulting in Christina's de-transformation. "I want Darien, not you two." She cackled as she ran past the duo.

Skylar caught Christina before she fell to the ground.

"I guess we're not going to see each other in training next week after all, huh?" Christina said.

"Princess, I promise you, when we re-awaken, I will find you. I promise, and give you my ring as a sign of my promise." Skylar said as he slipped his royal signet ring onto Christina's left middle finger. With that, the two fell to the ground, memorizing the other's face so that they would have something to remember the other by.

Of course, following the known history of the Moon Kingdom, Queen Serenity sacrificed herself and sent everyone to the future on Earth, waiting for them to be reborn.